Can we have an introductions thread? It seems like some of you know eachother because you've been araound the TTC forum, right? I just joined so here is my story that lead me to this surprise but much anticipated pregnancy...

DH and I were married in 2003. We might have TTC sooner but we have overcome many hurdles. We both lost our jobs the first year we were married and became victims of the poor job market. We had just bought a house and were blindsided with the loss of income. It was a long road getting back on our feet after that. Our marriage was surely tested! In 2006 I was in a bad car accident and sustained a head injury. A year later I was diagnosed with epilepsy and the whole medication taper process took a long time. I got a new job where I worked for 3 years and it was horrible. It's a long story. I would be kind to just say that my boss was demanding and I believe borderline abusive sometimes. Last November I walked out. It was something I would never thought I would do but I don't think I would have ever left if I kept listening her yell at me. The moment I left, it was like a ton of brick were lifted off my chest. I would have never had a baby while working there. First of all, she was a small business and offered nothing in the way of short-term disability. Not to mention her expectations and demands of my time and energy, I don't think she would have been sympathetic to my needs during pregnancy or after the pregnancy if I needed to take my baby to daycare and pick her up at a certain time or if I needed the day off because the baby is sick. I was only unemployed for a month before, through my persistant networking, I got my job now as a front office lead at an outpatient diagnostic imaging center. As soon as I was elegible I signed up fpr the STD plan and I saw my neurologist about the risks of being on antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy in planning to get pregnant this year. Then there was another set-back, I hurt my back. I actually have a buldged disc at L4-L5 vertebrae. It's not severe enough for surgery and my pain is controlled 95% of the time so I didn't persue any steroid injections. I am at the end of my physical therapy allowance by my insurance. I am scared about what this pregnancy will do to my back.

I'm sorry for such a long post but here I am at age 33 expecting my first baby! There's no looking back! Don't be fooled by my post about my husband being afraid of all this. He has been a wonderful support through everything and our marriage has never been stronger.